Tournaments & Derbies

Reel in a big payday with a big catch in Niagara Falls USA!

From fishing competitions, derbies and special events, Niagara Falls USA is the place to be to enjoy this popular outdoor angling adventure and earn some extra cash. Sign up today for one or all of these fishing derbies taking place this year in Niagara Falls USA.

2017 Niagara Falls USA Competitions, Derbies and Events

Roger Tobey Memorial Niagara River Anglers Steelhead Contest
February 5, 2017: The Niagara River Anglers Association will be holding their winter steelhead classic at Lewiston Landing. Loads of fun. Awards and lunch will follow at the 3-F Club, 904 Swann Rd., Lewiston. For information check out the NRAA website at niagarariveranglers.com.

Greater Lewiston Smelt Festival
May 5, 2017: The highlight is the Smelt Dip and Fry conducted by the Niagara River Anglers Association on the waterfront starting at 6 pm, including live music. This event is free to the public. For more info check out niagarariverregion.com.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Spring Trout and Salmon Derby
May 5 – 14, 2017: This premier spring kick-off classic, offering a $15,000 Grand Prize for the largest salmon caught overall, also sports over $30,000 in cash and prizes overall. More than 60 percent of all the winning fish come from the waters off Niagara. For more information, call 1-888-REEL-2-IN or visit their website at www.loc.org.

6th Annual Wilson Harbor Invitational Salmon Tournament
May 13, 2017: The tournament is back for another battle of salmon seekers. Check out www.wilsonharborinvitational.com for details. $1000 entry fee includes Big Fish and a one day-six fish big bucks tournament during prime time for spring fishing. Grand prize for a full field will be $25,000.

16th Annual Don Johannes Memorial Big Fish Contest and 11th Annual Pete Deangelo Memorial Three-Fish Contest
May 19, 2017: This is a precursor to the Pro-Am tournaments to get the teams warmed up for the fishing action. You don’t have to be in the pro-am to fish, though. Sign up at The Slippery Sinker, The Boat Doctors or The Gas Shack in Wilson. Call 716-778-0713 for more info. $100 per boat. 100 percent cash pay out.

33rd Annual Skip Hartman Memorial Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament
May 19 – 21, 2017: Last year’s change to making it a three day event using 10 points a fish and a point per pound was a big success. Over $60,000 in cash and prizes. For more info call (877) FALLS US or log onto the tournament website at www.lakeontarioproam.net for rules and sign up information.

New York's Free Fishing Days
June 24 – 25, 2017: No license is required by anyone for these two days, resident or non-resident (although all the rules and regulations must be followed), in an effort to promoted this popular pastime. This is a great time to get the whole family on the water and see how much fun it can be.

Hooked On the Tonawandas Fishing Tournament
June 24 – 25, 2017: This annual event is held out of Gateway Harbor in the Erie Canal during the Free Fishing Weekend. Catch the largest fish by weight for any of the five species - bass, walleye, northern pike, carp and perch. Over $3,500 in prizes. Check out www.fishgatewayharbor.net or call 716-628-1247.

8th Annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer Derby
June 30 – July 30, 2017: Grand prize is $12,500 for biggest salmon. Check out their website for all the details for this new summer event at www.loc.org or call 1-888-REEL-2-IN.

27th Annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby
July 5 – 16, 2017: The Erie Canal is spotlighted for this family-oriented fishing competition offering up more than $8,000 in prizes. Eligible waters include from the Niagara River to the Main Street Bridge in Albion (Route 98) - 50 miles of waters. For more information visit their website at www.eriecanalderby.com. (Bass is included.)

14th Annual Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Assn. King Salmon Tournament
July 15, 2017, 6 a.m. - noon, Olcott. This event offers 100 cash pay back. All participants must be LOTSA members. Deadline to register is July 12 at 6 p.m. For more information, contact www.lotsa.org. July 15 is the 7th Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Fishing Derby to remember an important LOTSA member. Free for anyone registered in the Saturday event. For more information, contact www.lotsa.org.

Orleans County Rotary Derby
August 5 – 20, 2017: Fish Lake Ontario and tributaries from the Niagara River to the Genesee River for salmon and trout. For more information call 1-585-589-9881. Olcott does have a weigh station in this local derby, located at The Slippery Sinker.

Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Fall Trout and Salmon Derby
August 18 – September 4, 2017: Over $50,000 in cash prizes including a $25,000 Grand Prize for the largest trout or salmon caught during this 18-day event. Help anglers celebrate the return of the mighty king salmon on Lake Ontario! Sign up in local tackle shops or call 1-888-REEL-2-IN. You can also visit their website at www.loc.org for more info or to register.

41st Annual Greater Niagara "Fall Classic" Derby - 2017: A Fish Odyssey
August 19 – 27, 2017: The journey continues with another great event set for 2015. Last year, over $10,000 in cash and prizes were handed out to winning anglers at the Town of Newfane Community Center at awards night. Specie categories included salmon, rainbow/brown trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, carp and walleye. All have a chance to win the Grand Prize. For more information, call 1-877-FALLS-US or visit www.fishodyssey.net.

32nd Annual NYPA – Niagara Power Vista Wildlife Festival
Sept. 23 – 24, 2017: Held in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day weekend, this event is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs and held on the grounds of the Power Authority's Visitor Center in Lewiston. Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 15,000 in attendance in 2015. Free admission.

New York's Free Fishing Day
November 11, 2017: No license is required by anyone, resident or non-resident (although all the rules and regulations must be followed), in an effort to promoted this popular pastime. This is a great time to get the whole family on the water and see how much fun it can be.